It’s once again time to challenge your inner filmmaker with ShortHaus Cinema’s Annual Short Film Competition!

In our third year, we’re shifting gears. Instead of holding the competition over a single week, we’re giving you all summer long! Your film can be any genre or subject matter. It just needs to be short and made by you. Further guidelines are listed below.

We’re also introducing Fountaindale Film Fest, a series of film-focused programming to help you build your skills as you work on your productions. Take your time to hone your craft and bring your unique vision to the big screen!

Important Dates

  • June 1–August 23: Build your skills; then script, shoot and edit your films
  • Sunday, August 23: Submissions due

Guidelines

  • All films must be filmed and completed in 2026.
  • Films should be no longer than 8 minutes.
  • Content must be appropriate for a general library audience.
  • All footage must be your own (royalty-free music is permissible).
  • Submissions using generative AI will not qualify for prizes.

How to Submit

Finished films are due in person or via email by Sunday, August 23. Files should be in .mp4 format and named lastname_firstname_title_of_film.

Videos can be emailed to studio300submission@fountaindale.org or dropped off in person at the Studio 300 desk. Once your video is submitted, please fill out the submission form.

Prizes

At the end of the screening, participants and audience members will vote on the competition’s winners. The top three winners will receive Amazon gift cards for their efforts. Participants must be present at the film screening on Wednesday, September 2, to qualify for prizes.

  • 1st Place: $100
  • 2nd Place: $50
  • 3rd Place: $25

Additional Resources

Need more resources? Check out the books and tutorials I recommended last year. Studio 300 also has all the equipment you need to shoot your film. Browse our circulating equipment collection, including cameras, lighting gear, audio recorders and more. Studio 300 orientation is required to check out equipment.

Questions? Email studio300@fountaindale.org or call 630.685.4260.

Film Fest Events

Introduction to Screenwriting
Thursday, June 4, 7–8 p.m. (Drop in)
Learn the basics of writing for the screen, including programs to help format your writing and tips on pacing for movies.

Video Gear Tech Zoo
Wednesday, June 17, 6:30–8 p.m. (Drop in)
Take a tour of our video equipment collection and learn everything Studio 300 has to offer for your video production needs. You’ll be able to explore and ask questions in this live demo class.

Storyboarding for Filmmakers
Thursday, July 16, 7 p.m.
Learn to use storyboards and shot lists to plan and shoot your film! No prior drawing experience required. Registration opens Thursday, June 25.

Cut to the Beat
Tuesday, July 21, 7 p.m.
Learn the basics of video editing in Premiere Pro and how to cut to the beat of the music to make your short film dynamic and engaging. Registration opens Tuesday, June 30.

From Timeline to Silver Screen
Tuesday, August 11, 7 p.m.
Learn some basics in taking a final look at audio levels and image/color editing before exporting your film from Premiere for YouTube or the big screen. Registration opens Tuesday, July 21.

ShortHaus Cinema Presents: Short Film Competition Screening
Wednesday, September 2, 6–8 p.m. (Drop in)
Attend our screening where the short film submissions will be shared and voted on by the community. Prizes will be awarded to the top three submissions. Refreshments will be provided. (After the screening, film submissions will be uploaded to our YouTube Channel.)

ShortHaus Cinema

ShortHaus will still be meeting on the first Tuesday of every month this summer. Each month, we select a renowned director to feature and to inspire us. This is an excellent way to see how the greats got their start in short films. We also invite community members to share their own film and video work, or even in-process scripts. If you’d like to get feedback on any part of your own short film, be sure to stop by! You might even meet your future collaborators in our community of film fanatics.

June: Jamie Babbit
Tuesday, June 2, 7–8 p.m. (Drop in)
Jamie Babbit is best known for the iconic lesbian cult classic, But I’m a Cheerleader. A perfect pick for Pride month, Babbit’s work embraces queer joy, camp and delight.

July: Werner Herzog
Tuesday, July 7, 7–8 p.m. (Drop in)
ShortHaus began by featuring Les Blank’s Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe, in which Herzog proclaims, “If you want to do a film, steal a camera, steal raw [film] stock, sneak into a lab and do it.” Although you don’t need to steal—Studio 300 has plenty of cameras available for checkout—it is a powerful statement for first-time directors. You can check out his oeuvre on Kanopy. Herzog has also written several books, available alongside his films.

August: Martin Scorsese
Tuesday, August 4, 7–8 p.m. (Drop in)
Scorsese needs no introduction as one of the greatest directors of our time, consistently putting out fantastic cinema. One of my personal favorites, the Nicolas Cage vehicle Bringing out the Dead, is currently available on Kanopy. His influence seeps into all aspiring directors, including our year one winner, Uber Driver. Get inspired by exploring Scorsese’s work in our collection.